dr. F (Fotini) Kokou

I am a biologist fascinated by the intricate relationship between fish and their microbiomes. Throughout my career, I have sought to bridge fundamental biological research with practical applications for the aquaculture industry. Following my studies at the University of Crete, I contributed to a diverse range of European, national, and industry-funded projects at the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR) in Greece. I then moved to Israel for my postdoctoral research, collaborating with the Agriculture Research Organization and the National Institute for Biotechnology (Ben Gurion University of the Negev). There, I focused on the dynamics of the fish gut microbiome, investigating how environmental factors—such as temperature and diet—shape microbial communities, as well as host genetics and stress responses.

In January 2020, I joined the Aquaculture Biology and Fisheries Ecology group as an Assistant Professor, and in 2026, I was appointed Associate Professor. Today, my research focuses on the intersection of fish nutrition, gut health, and digestive functioning. By unravelling the microbiome's role in these crucial physiological processes, my goal is to advance our biological understanding while supporting healthier, more resilient aquaculture systems.

Supervisor of PhD candidates Haniswita Fino, Sarah Garay, Giaele Benetti and Hao Pham. 

• Animal Microbiome Journal (1-5-2020/31-12-2099)
  
• Genomics (1-1-2021/31-12-2099)
  Associate Editor
• Frontiers in Marine Science (1-5-2015/31-12-2099)
  Review Editor